Whether you are a patient or visitor at Sunrise Hospital, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Definition

In coronary stenting, a mesh, metal tube is placed in an artery in the heart. The tube is called a stent. It helps to keep the artery open. It is placed after an artery has been cleared of blockage during an
angioplasty
.

There are two types of stents. One is called a drug-eluting stent. It is coated with a medication that is slowly released. The medication helps decrease the rate of reblockage in the artery. The other type of stent is called a bare-metal stent. It does not contain any medication. Your doctor will discuss which stent option is best for you.

Reasons for Procedure

This procedure is done to hold open a previously blocked artery in the heart. This will allow more normal blood flow through that artery.

After the stenting, your artery should be more open. This will allow better blood flow to feed the heart muscle. It may mean that you will no longer have chest pain. Your tolerance for exercise may increase.

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have a stent, your doctor will review a list of possible complications. These may include:

Bleeding at the point of the catheter insertion

Damage to the walls of arteries, causing you to need additional procedures or surgery

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may need to test your bodily fluids. This can be done with blood tests.

Your heart activity may need to be recorded. This can be done with
electrocardiogram
(EKG).

Pictures may need to be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with a
chest x-ray
.

Leading up to your procedure:

Talk to your doctor about your current medications. Certain medications may need to be stopped before the procedure, such as
blood thinners or medications used to treat diabetes.

Aspirin
should be taken before and continued through the procedure. Your doctor may also prescribe
antiplatelets for you to take before the procedure.

The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

You may be asked to shower the morning of your procedure. You may be given special antibacterial soap to use.

Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

Arrange for help at home for the first few days after your procedure.

Anesthesia

Local anesthetic will be given. It will numb the area of the groin or arm where the catheter will be inserted. You will also receive sedation and pain medication. They will help keep you comfortable through the procedure.

Description of Procedure

The area of the groin or arm where the catheter will be inserted is
cleaned, and numbed. A needle will be inserted into the artery. A wire will be passed through the needle and into the artery. You will receive blood-thinning medication during the procedure. The wire will be guided through until it reaches the blocked artery in the heart. A soft, flexible catheter will be slipped over the wire and threaded up to the blockage.

The doctor will be taking x-rays during the procedure to know where the wire and catheter are positioned. Dye will be injected into the arteries of your heart. This will allow the doctor to view the arteries and blockages.

After the blockage is reached, a small balloon at the tip of the catheter will be rapidly inflated and deflated. This will stretch the artery open.

The collapsed stent will be inserted. The balloon will be inflated again to expand the stent to its full size. The stent will be left in place to hold the vessel walls open. The deflated balloon, catheter, and wire will be removed.
Pressure will be applied for 20-30 minutes to control bleeding.

A bandage will then be placed over the groin area.

Immediately After Procedure

You will need to lie still and flat on your back for a period of time. A pressure dressing may be placed over the area where the catheter was inserted to help prevent bleeding. It is important to follow directions.

How Long Will It Take?

30 minutes to 3 hours

Will It Hurt?

The local anesthetic should numb the area where the catheter is inserted. You may feel a burning sensation when the area is anesthetized. You may also feel pressure when the catheters are moved. Some people have a flushed feeling or nausea when the dye is injected. You may feel some chest pain during inflation of the balloon.

Average Hospital Stay

0-2 days

Post-procedure Care

At Home

You may be sent home on blood-thinning therapy. This may include one or more of the following:

Aspirin

Clopidogrel

Prasugrel

Do not stop taking aspirin, clopidogrel, or prasugrel without first talking to your cardiologist.

Ice may help decrease discomfort at the insertion site. You may apply ice for 15-20 minutes each hour, for the first few days.

Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

You can make lifestyle changes to lower your risk for further complications of heart disease. These include eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

You may need to undergo periodic
stress tests
to monitor for blockages.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s
instructions
.

Always inform new doctors or other healthcare professionals that you have a coronary stent in place. Some medical procedures need to be modified or avoided for people with coronary stents, particularly
MRI
scans.

Always inform new doctors or other healthcare professionals that you have a coronary stent in place. Some medical procedures need to be modified or avoided for people with coronary stents, particularly
MRI
scans.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

Monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the catheter insertion site

Call for Medical Help Right Away If Any of the Following Occurs

Call for medical help right away if you have symptoms including:

Drooping facial muscles

Changes in vision or speech

Difficulty walking or using your arms

Change in sensation to affected leg or arm, including numbness, feeling cold, or change in color

Extreme sweating, nausea or vomiting

Lightheadedness

Chest pain

Rapid, irregular heartbeat

Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing

Weakness or fainting

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

American College of Cardiology
Task Force. American College of Cardiology/Society
for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions
clinical expert consensus document on
cardiac catheterization laboratory standards:
a report of the American College of Cardiology
Task Force on clinical expert consensus documents.
J Am Coll Cardiol.
2001;37(8):2170-2214.